Exploring Vintage Walt Disney World
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My favorite part of visiting Walt Disney World is the old WDW. The original parts that are still there since opening day 50 years ago. And even if it isn't all original, I love seeing WDW embrace their past and display nostalgic artwork and posters embracing their history. Here's my list of the best vintage spots to pretend you were there in 1971.
Dapper Dans
I finally got to see the Dapper Dans for the first time riding on the trolley and it was a magical experience! I love their outfits and of course their singing voices are incredible. Stroll around Main Street which has been at Disney World since the beginning.
Retro Posters at Storybook Circus in Fantasyland
If you go all the way back to Storybook Circus you'll find a brick wall with a bunch of retro posters. It's such a cute spot for a photo opp and it's pretty quiet back there too. Also it’s in the shade which can be a big relief in the Florida heat.
The Enchanted Tiki Room
The epitome of classic WDW kitsch is the Tiki Room attraction. It's a ride that gets overlooked a lot and most people skip all together. I didn't experience it until I was an adult, my parents never took me to see it as a kid. If you haven’t seen the show yet you HAVE to!
Peter Pan Mural
I gasped when I saw this BEAUTIFUL Peter Pan mural to the right side of the Peter Pan’s Flight ride. It has the most beautiful Mary Blair inspired art and I love it. Just a heads up, when the Peter Pan ride line gets too long the line will extend into the mural. So if there isn't a line in front of it when you see it be sure to snap a quick photo!
Spotting The Orange Bird
The Orange Bird isn't actually in a Disney attraction at all, it was a mascot created by Disney in collaboration with the Florida Citrus Commission. He's the absolute cutest thing and has a cult following. You can spot him at Sunshine Tree Terrace when you get a Dole Whip and sometimes in the Disney stores. They know he's a popular character so you can sometimes find merch! I haven't sprung for any new Disney World merch but I have bought some vintage Orange Bird souvenirs. Check out this link to see some adorable and authentic Orange Bird collectibles.
The Orange Bird Mural at Disney Springs
Head around the corner of Erin McKenna's Bakery to see a giant Orange Bird mural. It's a perfect spot for a photo if you're a huge Orange Bird fan like me.
Classic Original Rides - Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small
World, Mad Tea Party, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo, etc.
I'm not going to go over ALL the rides because that's mostly what people go to Disney for anyway. These are some of the most popular rides even though they've been around since opening day. They have cult followings for a reason so be sure to not miss any of them.
Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress is another often overlooked attraction. I also didn't go on this ride until I was an adult because it's not very popular to visit. The Carousel of Progress first opened at the 1964 New York World's Fair. It has a revolving stage that takes the audience through the progress of time. I love the retro kitchen inside and seeing the old appliances (And look at that paper mache Jack-o-Lantern which is on my vintage wish list blog post).
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
If you haven't seen the movie Swiss Family Robinson you HAVE to. It's a classic Disney film that came out in 1960. There's a walkthru treehouse that you can visit in the park and it's a great place to relax, take your time and enjoy the shade. See the movie and walk through the tree, I promise you'll enjoy it.
Disney’s Boardwalk
The Boardwalk was opened in 1996 but is modeled after turn of the century Coney Island and Atlantic City. The buildings have adorable signage and are in beautiful pastel shades. It’s a great place to take vintage inspired photos and eat baked goods and ice cream.
The Peoplemover in Tomorrowland
This is by far my FAVORITE ride. It was added to the park in 1975 and is the most relaxing ride in the whole park. It has the best views and you get to see some cool retro space displays along the way. I especially love the model of how Epcot was originally designed by Walt Disney.
Taking the Monorail to Original Resort Hotels
The Monorail is great enough and a must ride when you visit. But be sure to get off and explore some of the first built resort hotels like the Contemporary resort and Polynesian. I love the Polynesian the best because of the retro tiki vibe and it has adorable kitschy artwork too. You don't even have to stay at the resorts to get to experience them!
Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs
This is my favorite shop in all of WDW. They sell the CUTEST vintage inspired collections here. I'm a pretty big cheapskate and don't like to spend a fortune on Disney souvenirs. But this shop offers the cutest retro postcards made by artists. I love the new postcards just as much as I love vintage ones. You can find authentic vintage Walt Disney World postcards for sale here. Or if you want to support artists directly on Etsy check out these postcards that I purchased for my house.
There you have it, my favorite vintage Disney World highlights. Do you have one that I missed? If you're driving to Florida be sure to check out my blog post all about going on a thrifting road trip.
